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SHOWCASE GOLF: Ray's day again

| July 31, 2022 1:25 AM

By JASON ELLIOTT

Sports writer

COEUR d'ALENE — It wasn't that former NHL and Spokane Chief Ray Whitney played a great round of golf on Saturday — he did in some spots — it was that he trusted himself at the right time.

Whitney, who led the Spokane Chiefs to the 1991 Memorial Cup title, held off Golf Channel host Blair O'Neal and former NFL kicker Josh Scobee by two shots to claim the championship at The Showcase golf exhibition at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

"Josh is very good and hits the ball a lot further than I do," said Whitney, who also won here in 2018. "I'm a little out of my comfort zone here. I'm fine on a sheet of ice in front of 18,000 fans, but with golf, you have so much time to think in between shots. Sometimes getting in your own head is easy to do, and I was there a few times today, but I played much better in the last eight holes and was able to win."

The event, a fundraiser for the Community Cancer Fund, has been held yearly since 2014 outside of 2020, when the tournament was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"The most important part of the weekend is raising money," Whitney said. "To see the guys that are coming in from far and away, it's really special. Marcus Allen is one of the nicest and kindest people there is, and that a high-end talent as well. To have those people come in and wherewithal and enthusiasm and are ready to help and care. It’s touching and nice to see that they care like they do.”

Former MLB star Vince Coleman was the net champion in his second visit to the event. His round was cut short in 2021 due to illness.

"Last year, I caught COVID on the first day," Coleman said. "But there's nothing like being in front of this crowd. Ryan (Gee), Jerid (Keefer) and Fritz (Wolff) put on a great tournament. I just tried to put the ball in the fairways and wanted to be consistent. We don't get to play a lot of these tournaments, so anytime you can, you want to be competitive."

First-timer Bryon Scott finished 15th with an 78-81—159.

"Marcus Allen is a good friend of mine and has been asking me to come here for the last three years," said Scott, the former NBA player and coach. "Every time, I've always had something else to do. This year, I came and I can tell you it won't be the last."

Same goes for former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, who was paired with legends Wayne Gretzky and John Elway for Saturday's final round.

"I've been living here for the last three years across the lake," Payton said. "We've always had to go to training camp, but the guys have always talked about it. It's the first time I had a chance to play and really enjoyed it."

For Larry Fitzgerald, the cause has special meaning to him.

"My mom passed away from breast cancer in 2003," Fitzgerald said. "I've had two of my mom's sisters and friends that have battled cancer. Anytime you can come to a beautiful place like this, play golf, get together and raise money for a great cause like this, it's a no-brainer. I love to do it and am really glad to be here."

GROSS RESULTS — 1, Ray Whitney, 66-70—136. 2 (tie), Blair O'Neal, 67-71-138; Josh Scobee, 67-71—138. 4 (tie), Jeremy Roenick, 73-68—141; Isabelle Shee, 68-73—141; John Elway, 72-69—141. 7, Mark Rypien, 74-69—143. 8, Ryan Longwell, 72-72—144. 9, Kat Shee, 70-77—147. 10, Brenden Morrow, 71-79—150. 11 (tie), Grant Fuhr, 75-78—153; Sheldon Souray, 75-78—153. 13, Wayne Gretzky, 76-78—154. 14, Dustin Pedroia, 77-81—158. 15, Byron Scott, 78-81—159. 16, Taylor Cusack, 82-78—160. 17, Bobby Ryan, 80-85—165. 18, Marcus Allen, 85-83—168. 19, Richard Dent, 85-87—172. 20, Sean Payton, 90-88—178. 21, Scott Williams, 97-90—187. 22, Tim Brown, 78—DNF.

NET RESULTS — 1, Vince Coleman, 60-65—125. 2, Janet Gretzky, 64-68—132. 3 (tie), Neil Lomax, 68-65—133; Russ Courtnall, 61-72—133. 5, Eric Dickerson, 70-65—135. 6, Jimmy Rollins, 70-68—138. 7, David Justice, 70-69—139. 8, Jermaine Dye, 72-68—140. 9, Tyler Johnson, 66-75—141. 10 (tie), Ron Harper, 69-73—142; Shane Victorino, 70-72—142; Fred McGriff, 73-69—142. 13 (tie), Seth Joyner, 73-70—143; Kelly Chase, 65-78—143. 15, Desmond Mason, 75-70—145. 16, Larry Fitzgerald, 74-76—150. 17 (tie), Stephen Hauschka, 74-79—153; Jon Cooper, 72-81—153. 19, Sidney Rice, 65-91—156. 20 (tie), Bruce Bowen, 78-83—161; Roy Green, 83-78—161.

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JASON ELLIOTT/Press Former NHL and Spokane Chief great Ray Whitney and former MLB player Vince Coleman celebrate after winning titles at the Showcase on Saturday at The Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course.

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JASON ELLIOTT/Press Former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton chips onto the 18th green of the Showcase golf exhibition at The Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course.

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JASON ELLIOTT/Press Former NHL goaltender Grant Fuhr hits out of the sand at the 18th hole of the Showcase golf exhibition at The Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course on Saturday.

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JASON ELLIOTT/Press Former NFL great Marcus Allen putts on the 18th green during Saturday's Showcase golf exhibition at The Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course.

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JASON ELLIOTT/Press Former NFL wide receiver Sidney Rice eyes his putt on the 18th green during Saturday’s Showcase golf exhibition at The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course.